But the Indians proved Davis, a running back who since has graduated, right. After going 2-8 the year before, they finished 10-2 last year after losing to Monroe Lemon-Monroe 42-17 in the second round of the Division III playoffs.

Now, Canal Winchester will be out to prove it's not a fluke when it opens at Bexley on Friday.

"The opener sets the tone for the season," Canal Winchester coach Phil Mauro said.

"We've told the kids it's the most important game of the year."

In five of the last six years, the winner of the game has gone on to finish .500 or better and the loser has been below .500. The exception was 2004 when the Lions lost 12-0 but went on to finish 7-3 and Canal Winchester went 5-5.

"This game is huge especially for a team which hasn't won a league championship or been to the playoffs," Bexley coach John Smith said. "You lose a game or two at the beginning of the season and the players start to think they're headed for same old, same old."

Mauro believes the key could be how his team contains Bexley's offense, led by quarterback Seth White and receivers Jon Thomas and Alan Hess.

White completed 143 of 235 passes for 1,740 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 835 yards and 15 touchdowns on 379 carries a year ago.

The Indians' defense, which allowed 16.3 points a game and had three shutouts last year, is led by seniors Ryan Huff, Morgan Tucker and Travis Stevenson on the line and seniors Harrison Rosch and Tyler Steube and juniors Mike Mainella and Ryan Rose at linebacker.

"White is one of the best quarterbacks in the area," Mauro said. "He challenges all of us to play sound defense. Everything Bexley does starts with him."

Bexley's defense returns senior Jake Brandt and Herb Porter and junior Martin Raabe on the line and seniors Robert Schnitz, Julian Coleman and Russ Tingler as linebackers.

The Indians lost Davis, who rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions last year

However, they return quarterback Stevenson, running back Dom Cosby and wide receiver Matt Romanowski as well as fullback O.J. Green.

"We need to play solid defense," Smith said. "Week in and week out, our offense is going to be fine. What teams do against our defense is going to dictate how well we do."

At a glance

CANAL WINCHESTER at BEXLEY

•When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

•Last meeting: 2007, Canal Winchester 14-9

•Bexley to date: Opener for both

•Top Lions: Jake Brandt, Julian Coleman, Alan Hess, Robert Schnitz and Seth White